Water Softeners

The wastewater created by water softeners is often times released into your septic tank. This discharge creates an additional load on your septic system as your tank must accept and process the additional waste.

Studies have been conducted regarding the effect of softener waste on septic systems. Generally, provided that your system was designed to accommodate the extra 5-10% of water generated by a water softener, your system should not be adversely affected. The findings are described in detail in this report by the Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre at the University of Guelph.  

Some homes contain a grey water system in addition to a septic system. Ideally, a grey water system would accept any waste from the water softener in order to completely eliminate the risk of any adverse affects to the septic system.

The Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre provides the following tips for the usage of a water softener in conjunction with your septic system:

1. A more efficient water softener will reduce the amount of sodium chloride used. In general, new water softeners are more efficient than older models.
2. The softener should be set to regenerate depending on the water flow instead of being set to regenerate at regular time intervals. This ensures that regeneration occurs only when required.
3. Water conservation practices should be established to reduce the quantity of sodium chloride sent to the septic system.
4. Soften only the water necessary. For example, outdoor water does not need to be softened.
5. Potassium chloride may be used instead of sodium chloride in the water softener. Although potassium chloride is about twice as expensive as sodium chloride, its use will reduce the quantity of sodium sent to the septic system as well as the quantity of sodium in the diets of residents. As well, far more potassium is needed than sodium to cause the same deleterious effects on soil hydraulic conductivity.
6. Design the septic system to accept the higher hydraulic load due to water softener (increase 5-10%).
7. In constructing a leaching bed, avoid using soils with high contents of swelling clay (montmorillonite). This will reduce the detrimental effects of sodium on hydraulic conductivity. However, soils with high clay contents have lower hydraulic conductivities than non-clay soils and should not be used for leaching beds anyway.

Retention Time

Did you know that your septic tank is always full? Most weeping fields are gravity fed, so your septic tank must be full to the outlet pipe in order for the weeping field to receive effluent (the liquids). As you introduce waste into the septic tank, effluent flows into the weeping field.

Retention time refers to the time required for the solids in the septic tank to settle out of the liquid. A high retention time is ideal, and will allow adequate settling of the solids.

If water usage is excessive, retention time in your tank will be low. This can cause effluent containing solids to be forced into the weeping field, leading to potential problems in the future.

The following steps will assist with increasing retention time:

• Space out heavy water usage. For example, don't run the dishwasher and washing machine at the same time.
• Laundry should be done over the course of the week rather than all on one day. A maximum of one load per day is suggested.
• Divert your water softener waste water to a grey water system if possible, or cycle only when necessary and during the night.
• Limit the length of showers
• Use low flow faucets, showers, and toilets
• General water conservation measures will reduce the load on your septic system.

What not to flush

This is not an exhaustive list of what not to flush or wash down the drain, but some common things that we've found in septic tanks over the years. These items do not break down in your tank. They remain there until pumped out. A build-up of these items can contribute to blockage of the inlet pipe and baffle, and eventually back-up.

Items not to flush or wash down the drain:

• Baby wipes and sanitary wipes
• Sanitary napkins and tampons
• Cotton swabs
• Condoms
• Bandages
• Cigarette butts
• Grease, bacon fat, waste oils
• Food scraps (garburator waste should be composted)
• Wrappers, candy/gum papers, etc

The importance of bacteria

Bacteria are present in your septic tank. They are vital in keeping your septic system running properly, as they assist in breaking down the organic material into sludge.

It's important to protect the population of bacteria in your tank by being cautious about what you allow to run down the drain. The following common household items should be prevented (or at least limited) from entering your septic system in order to avoid killing the bacteria in your tank:

• Bleach
• Drain cleaners
• Paint
• Paint thinners and solvents
• Any other harsh cleaning agents and chemicals

The human body creates enough bacteria that "starters" and other additives are unnecessary. If you are careful what you allow down the drain, the bacteria will flourish in your tank and there will be no need for expensive products.

The baffle

The outlet baffle is a T-shaped pipe attached to the outlet pipe leading to your weeping field. This small component of your septic system has a very important job - it prevents sludge from entering your weeping field.

The original tank baffle is concrete or plastic. Eventually this baffle breaks down and will fall off. The baffle should be inspected every time your tank is pumped. If it is missing, a replacement baffle made of plastic piping can be installed by our technician.

The basics

Your septic system is an underground sewage treatment plant, right in your back yard. Your septic system may seem like it's out of sight and out of mind, but unlike city services, your septic system requires regular maintenance and added caution about what you flush and wash down the drain.

Your septic system will look similar to this:

(Source: Ontario Ministry of the Environment)

Everything you flush or wash down the drain enters the tank through the inlet pipe pictured on the left. Most tanks have two chambers: the primary (closes to the house) and secondary sides. Some older tanks may consist of only a single chamber.

When the waste enters your tank, the solids (things like toilet paper and organic solids) sink to the bottom where bacteria in the tank assist in breaking down those solids into sludge. Any grease and soap scum float to the top, while liquids remain in the middle and slowly flow into the secondary side of the tank. From there, the effluent (liquids) flow through the baffle and into the weeping field or weeping tile.

The weeping tile is a network of perforated pipes under your lawn. It allows the effluent to slowly seep away into the ground. They come in many configurations. Yours may vary from the diagram above.

Effluent seeps away through the weeping field, while sludge and grease are left to build up in your septic tank. Eventually these solids will need to be pumped out of your tank, otherwise they will continue to build and cause problems. Excessive amounts of sludge lead to septic system malfunction including blockages leading to back up into the house, and over flowing of the tank. Solids that enter the weeping field contribute to septic system failure by plugging your weeping field and preventing effluent from being absorbed by the ground.

Your septic system should be maintained with a regular routine of pumping the tank of sludge, along with an inspection to inform you of the condition of your system. Most families will require septic tank pumping every two or three years. This is only a general guideline that will vary depending on your family's usage, the size of your tank, and the condition of your system.

Regular septic tank pumping (combined with caution surrounding what is allowed into your tank) will keep your septic system running well for years to come.

Welcome!

The care and maintenance of a septic system can sometimes be confusing or intimidating to the new or prospective homeowner. With this blog, we hope to demystify septic systems and provide you with the information you need to keep your septic system running properly for years to come.